Let's cut straight to the chase. On the evening of the second Sunday in February, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hand the Super Bowl trophy to Jon Gruden. My pick to win it all is the Las Vegas Raiders. Not Tampa Bay, not Green Bay, not Kansas City. Those are...
Fresno Awards 21 Marijuana Licenses. Auston Big Winner.
Kacey Auston was the big winner when the city of Fresno announced the remaining 18 retail cannabis licensees on Wednesday. Auston — a well-known consultant who has represented several clients at City Hall and holds a number of civic leadership positions — was awarded three licenses to operate retail locations...
Newsom Appoints Fresno Republican as Madera County Judge
Sosi Chitakian Vogt of Fresno is now a Madera County Superior Court judge. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Vogt's elevation on Sept. 3. She has served as a Madera County court commissioner since 2020. Vogt fills the vacancy created by Judge Joseph A. Soldani's retirement. Vogt, 53, is a Republican. Vogt's...
While Valley Hospitals Confront Soaring COVID Costs, Feds Sit on Aid
The state's hospitals lost more than $8 billion last year while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report commissioned by the California Hospital Association. Moreover, the financial challenges are expected to continue in California, with projected losses of $600 million to $2 billion, says Chicago-based healthcare consultant KaufmanHall....
Walters: California’s Labor Day Lament – A Shortage of Workers
An acquaintance had some good news to impart last week: Her son, who operates construction machinery, just got a raise from $43 an hour to $57. That sounded outlandishly high — the equivalent of well over $100,000 a year — but the most recent “prevailing wage” schedule for Northern California public works...
Anti-Mask Activist Will Remain in Fresno Jail After FBI Arrest on Riot Charges
Benjamin Martin, the Central Valley man arrested Thursday by federal authorities for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, denied the six charges against him during a short court hearing on Friday. A judge ordered that he remain in custody in the Fresno County Jail until a...
One Year After Creek Fire, Survivors Count Their Blessings and Find New Reasons to Hope
Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the Creek Fire, which destroyed more than 800 buildings and injured 26 people as it swept through the tinder-dry Sierra National Forest and nearby neighborhoods. In its wake are denuded mountains and hillsides, marked with matchstick-like trees still standing and partly...
Dyer Points to 27 Million Reasons Fresno Opposes PG&E Rate Hike
The Fresno City Council backed up Mayor Jerry Dyer's request to formally oppose a proposed rate hike by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on Thursday. And, part of the motivation was as clear as the city of Fresno's yearly bill from PG&E— $27 million for gas and electric services. PG&E...
What Challenges Do NFL Rookie QBs Face? David Carr Has the Answers
I'm revved up about the start of the NFL season and eager to see how well the rookie quarterbacks, as well as a couple of veterans in new situations, perform. Of all the positions in the NFL, quarterbacks face the most pressure — whether it's from a blitzing linebacker,...
Infrastructure Bill Has $20M for Deadly Stretch of Hwy 41
The Central Valley is set to benefit from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill being debated by Congress. While specifics are still being worked out, local leaders relish receiving tens of millions of dollars for road and highway projects. Leading the request list is $20 million to expand a dangerous stretch...